Evaluation of Lateral Stability of the Diagrid Tall Structure Under Different Earthquake Forces

Abstract

Diagrid structural mechanism, being aesthetically appealing, structurally efficient and material saving, has gained a lot of attention and acceptance among the architects and structural designers engaged in modern era infrastructures in densely packed urban areas. Conventional way of providing seismic stability to the structure is either by bracing systems or shear wall system. Diagrid system combines the responsibilities of the vertical columns and the bracings as one single structural member—a diagonal member only. This has not only shown increase in the lateral stability of the structure, but it is also proven for reduction in material usage up to 20%. Diagrid is more acceptable nowadays mainly due to the column-free spaces and freedom in interior planning that it can offer to the inhabitants. This study focuses on behaviour of a Diagrid structure subjected to different seismic forces. An existing Diagrid tall structure (Hearst tower, NY, USA) and a similar dimensioned regular conventional structure are compared under various existing earthquake shakings. The time history dynamic analysis is done using FE software SAP2000. The Diagrid structure showed higher lateral seismic stability than the conventional system.